The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-27
Three Moral Evils.

alton, OF chattel slavery was sustained
md protected by the Con titution of the
United States. 1t had so diffused itself
systems Of the slaveholdfng States, and
was so hedged around with material con-
that its eradication could not
be effected by legal methods. 1t was in
berwoven with the whole economic and
social fabrics of the South. It was the
basis Of it's political power, the source of
its industrial existence. and an essential
factor in its domestic economy. 1t was
related to all important legislation and
guarded with a jealousy that was easily
offended to resentment. 1t was entrenched
behind the fundamental law of the coun.
try, and there was no possible way to
modify its nature or impair its rights
known to legislation. With the sentiment
of the civilized world against the institu-
ton, it held its own under the Federal
Constitution and State laws, and de6ed its
enemies. To assail or touch it with hos
tile intent was Ike placing fire to dyna-
mite fuse. Fierce passion was infamed
and whole Commonwealth aroused by
even an unfriendIy allusion. 1t was
guarded through the statutes, through the
mails, through the constitution of society,
through the jealous supervision and
watchful police arrangements of dozen
States. Yet it was none the less moral
evil-a social crime. a national shame, a
material and political blight. Nothing
but the sword could cut it out, and to do
this higher law than the constitution
had to be appealed to. Its eradication
WAS momentous, fearful undertaking,
and the cost of it appalling, in whatever
way it is considered. Yet the country is
happier. our national destiny more plain
Iy marked ont, our social, political and
industrial future more assured and auspi
ci1us. now that'it is not.
Polygamy is moral evil SO offensive and
monstyous that lit shocks christian hui
manity to think of 1t. 1t crosses and
defies all the refined sentiments iDcul-
Gated at the domestic hearth and which
have grown with our growth and strength
ened with our strength from the cradle to
MANHOOD, It oopfr0Its the training and
sanctities of the church, the teaching of
revelation, the inspirations of home and
family, and the tenderest ties OF exis-
tence. Yet we doubt whether the law re-
Gently enacted for its suppression will
stand the crucial of the courts. AS re-
! ligious belief it may Claim protection I'M
der the constitution. and plead the letter
of the fundamental law IN its defence.
The bill may be too sweeping in its de-
mands-may strike at forbidden interests,
and thus defeat the main object at which
it aims. 1t is no greater crime than chattel
slavery-for that comprehended polygamy.
moral debauchery, social degradation, and
virtually denied the existence of the soul
because of the color of the skin. 1t went
even farther than polygamy-it did not re-
cognize the ties of family-the loves of
children and parents, but ruthlessly trod
upon them as if they were beastly in
J stlncts. Yet the constitution protected and
| the courts sanctioned it. The courts know
not sentiment. They de al with cold words
and rigid phrases, and render their deci-
sons in set formulas and from established
presidents. 1t may be, the same heroic
methods which cut out the virus of slavery
may be necessary to eradicate polygamy.
And just here itmay be appropriate to state
that all Mormonism is not polygamous.-
| The disciples of Joe Smith, the founder
Of the Mormon church, Go not believe in
or practice polygamy. How far this may
complicate the questions that may be
raised when the recent law of Congress is
brought before the courts, as it will be,
when its enforcement is attempted,
may be worth considering. With this
portion of tie Mormons, sure defence
would he found in the constitution. for
they have as much right to their reli-
gious belief as any other sect
Another moral evil, of equal. If not
greater magnitude than either chattel
slavery or polygamy is Intemperance. 1t
encompasses every grade of crime, of NOR
al delinquency and putrescence that has
ever cursed humanity. 1t is the source of
every phase of human misery and inyades
every crevice of society, whether radiated
by culture and refinement, or Swallowed by
ignorance and superstition. While chat
telslavery directly affected fourteen States.
and poygamy has had its growth in only one
barren Territory, Intemperance claims the
whole domain of our country as its thea
ire of operation, and the whole population
! as the subjects upon which to Work its
destruction. 1t makes slaves not only of
the body but the soul. It generates vice
and crime not only in the howell of the
humble and unlettered. but in the abodes
! of the high and learned. 1t is the deluge.
1t covers the whole land, and recognizes
no exemption of locality or people. 1t de-
! ies the laws of God and man and strikes
with deadly aim at every condition of
mankind. 1t is an all prevailing and infec-
tious evil, which respects neither person
nor condition.
If the eradication of slavery called fo1
the exercise Of the supremest power OF
the nation-power above the constitution
and resting upon the higher law, with its
source in the Justice of the Almighty,
and Polyganiy invokes the attention of
Congress for its suppression, should not
the equally as great, if not greater moral
evil of Intemperance claim, the conscien-
tlous, deliberate interference of the su.
preme legislature Of great christian ma
ton thought not to be said that the arrest
of Intemperance is beyond the province OF
the laws of country. 1t ought not to be
admitted that a great crime that duplicates
every condition of society-that reaches to
every part of the social and civil structure
that penetrates into the moral being of
whole people to faint and destroy, is mas
ter of the situation stronger than pub lie
sentiment and above the grasp of the ma
TONS power. We are sure if some Of our
national legislators could rise above the
plane of the demagogue-study the phi
losophy of the laws they enact and the
influence they are to have upon the des-
tiny of the nation, they would at least
give this great subject deliberate, brave
and courageous consideration in the
light of public duty and public response
bility. A great moral force upheaved and
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